The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-07-01
A TOWN WIPED OUT.
TIE Thriving Village of MarshfieId, WIS.,,
Almost Entirely Destroyed by Fire =
Fifteen Hundred PebpiG Homeless :
Losses Estimated at fras. $3.50, 900 to
$4,000, O00-An Appeal for Aid.

fle Thriving Village of MarshfieId. Wis.
Almost Entirely Destroyed by Fire =
Fifteen Hundred i'ebpiG Homeless =
Losses Estimated at frosa $3.50 600 to
$4,000, O00-An Appeal FOR Aid.
MARsHFIELD, Wis, June g. The city Of
Marshfi I'D, Sunday busy, thriving town
Df 1900 inhabitants and large manufacture
ing enterprises, was almost wiped out OF
existence by fire yesterday. The flames
started about noon in the 1umber-yarI of
the Upf!am Manufacturing Company and
spread with almost lightning rapidity.
Every possible effort was made to check
them, hut in vain; and hundreds Of cfti-
zens stood helpless and aghast at the great
calamity which was Detailing them and
the flames which were devouring their
homes and places of business. The ma
terial i'll the lumber-yard furnished SPLEEN
did food for the fire. kilograms for help
were sent to Chippewa Falls and other
points, but aid did not arrive in time to be
of any use.
By three o'clock it was seen that the
entire business part of the town was
doomed, and the flames were FACING with
unabated and restless fury. The people
were almost panic-s trickeu, and the
question which every one asked was
where will it stop?'' AS the
fire reached the residence part of
town vehicles Of every description
were used in efforts to save household
goods and other property with which the
people fed to the Gods. Still the flames
swept on and they have been subdued only
because there Is nothing left for them to
feed upon. The entire business part of the
town, except solitary store, is mass of
smoldering ashes.
The loss can only be guessed at 1t will
reach 100000 on the most conservative
estimate and it may reach 100000 The
amount OF the insurance, though large,
will not nearly cover the loss. 1t is esti-
mated at about one-fifth of the loss.
There are 1,500 people homeless and the
scenes of anguish and despair on the part
OF these who have lost all their earthly pos
sessions can not be described. It is simply
awful People with the household goods
which they managed to save are scattered
along the roads, and hundreds are left
without shelter, except the friendly sky,
and with nothing to eat Immediate as
sistance is needed badly, and Marshfield
will not forget the friends who respond to
the appeal which she sends forth in her ex-
tremity.
Uphams saw-mill, planning mill furni-
ture factory and grist- mill were de-
stroyed; also the entire undergrad. The
Wisconsin Central depot is burned The
heat was so intense that $500 feet of the
Wisconsin Central track, which runs
through one end of the town, was bent
and twisted into the most grotesQue
shapes. Travel can not be resumed on
this account until to-day. Many peo-
pie were transferred by specials
to- neighboring towns and others
camped on the outskirts of the town,
Among the buildings destroyed besides
those mentioned above are the fremont
and several minor hotels the warehouses
along the Wisconsin Central, four churches
and many houses. The fire was started by
spark from a locomotive. The fire pro-
lection of the town was very deficient
The scenes about Marshtield are pitiable.
The wearied men and depressed women
are watching the remnants of their homes
and possessions promiscuously scattered
round in the surrounding woods, which are
lit UP by the glow that comes from the
still burning mass that covered acres and
represented thriving village
MILWAUKEE, Wis, June 2S.-1t is said at
the Wisconsin Central general Offices in
this city that the loss by the fire in Marsh
field range from 100000 to $500, 900. There
was no wind prevailing at the time of the
fire, and it is difficult to account for the
rapid progress of the flames. Their direc-
ton was toward the Upham manufactures
and the town. The central depot was
soon swept away, as was the company's
water tank and pile bridge, just west Of
the town, about 300 feet long The brid ge
was one over which the main line runs and
its destruction impeded travel. The loss
sustained by the Central Company will
amount TO $65, 600 or SIS, 00o The company
will at once rebuild its depot and tank
The Sentinel received the following dis
patch last night
''MARsHFIELD, Wis, June 27.-Our people
here are out of provisions or any place to buy
any. Help is needed
w. II. UpHAM Mayor"
The wires to Marshfeld have been down
nearly all night since the fire, and further
particulars of the fire can not be obtained.